Shoulder to Shoulder by With-you

S1 EP1: Anita's Journey and the Power of Peer Support

Join us for Episode 1 of  "Shoulder to Shoulder by With-You" as we explore Anita's incredible journey, spanning from her childhood in Africa to her present-day life in Manchester, UK.
Anita opens up about her upbringing and the rich cultural tapestry that influences her life today. She paints a vivid picture of her transition to the UK and the adjustments she had to make while forging a new path for herself.
But the heart of this episode lies in Anita's inspiring journey with peer support. She discusses the profound impact it's had on her life, providing a lifeline during difficult times and fostering connections that have been instrumental in her personal growth.
She also shares her passion project, "Holding Her Space," an organisation she co-founded to holistically support mothers and their families during their pregnancy, birthing and early parenting journey in her community and beyond.
Cate Munro talks with Peer Supporters from all walks of life to shine a light on the importance of Peer Support in the mental health landscape and the incredible humans behind it.
For more information on With-You and the services we offer please visit www.with-you.co.uk

S1 EP2: Mark's Journey and the Power of Peer Support

In Episode 2 of "Shoulder to Shoulder," Cate Munro engages in a heartfelt conversation with Mark, who bravely shares his transformative journey from a traumatic childhood marred by abuse to a life of recovery and purpose.
Mark's candid narrative delves into the profound impact of childhood abuse on his mental health, offering an intimate look at the struggles he faced throughout his teenage years. 
This episode unveils the pivotal role of peer support, both unintentional and deliberate, in Mark's healing process. He recounts how friends and loved ones provided crucial empathy and support during his darkest moments and how, through his current role in the police, he is able to use his lived experience as a source of hope and empowerment to support others. 
Episode 2 of "Shoulder to Shoulder" is an inspiring exploration of the healing power of peer support and serves as a beacon of encouragement for those on their own mental health journeys.
For more information on With-You and the services we offer please visit www.with-you.co.uk
***This podcast episode contains discussions about historical child abuse, which may be distressing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

S1 EP3: Jacqui's Journey and the Power of Peer Support

In Episode 3 of "Shoulder to Shoulder," Cate Munro engages in a profound conversation with Jacqui, a resilient individual who shares her life's journey from enduring childhood abuse to finding renewed purpose as an adult.
Jacqui's story is a testament to the enduring impact of trauma and the transformative potential of peer support.
Listeners will be captivated as Jacqui candidly discusses how her early experiences of abuse deeply shaped her personal and professional life, influencing her path across two continents. She offers insight into the emotional struggles she faced growing up and the profound effect of her past on her mental health.
This episode shines a light on the role of both unintentional and intentional peer support in Jacqui's rediscovery process. She recounts moments when friends and acquaintances provided crucial understanding and support, as well as her deliberate efforts to seek out peer support networks and mental health resources.
Today, Jacqui's journey has come full circle as she leverages her lived experience to help and empower others facing mental health challenges. Episode 3 of "Shoulder to Shoulder" is a moving exploration of resilience, rediscovery, and the transformative power of peer support, showcasing Jacqui's inspiring commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
For more information on With-You and the services we offer please visit www.with-you.co.uk

S1 EP4: Sharif's Journey and the Power of Peer Support

In this gripping episode of Shoulder to Shoulder Cate Munro explores Sharif's incredible life journey. 
As a young survivor who escaped East African genocide and settled in London's gritty East End, Sharif's story is a testament to resilience and hope. 
He shares a life-changing encounter in a recovery house that set him on a path of transformation and explains how he now harnesses the principles of the Bushman, and the power of peer support, to craft his own unique recovery journey and help others do the same. 
This episode is a captivating exploration of survival, redemption, and the enduring impact of community and cultural wisdom. Sharif's story inspires and reminds us that no matter what challenges we face, we have the inner strength to rise above them and create a life with meaning.
For more information on With-You and the services we offer please visit www.with-you.co.uk
WARNING: This episode contains colourful language which some listeners may find offensive.

S1 EP5: Anita's Journey and the Power of Peer Support

In Episode 5 of Shoulder-to-Shoulder, Cate Munro engages in a poignant conversation with Anita K - a suicide survivor, mother, grandmother, peer, and activist. 
 
Anita's narrative is one of resilience in the face of discrimination and racism, stemming from her parents' experiences in 1960s Britain. 
 
She courageously shares her journey, revealing how the devastating impact of racism led to her mother's tragic suicide. Anita highlights the transformative power of peer support - from family, friends and her community -  in navigating life's challenges, detailing how it helped her forge a life filled with purpose and passion. 
 
This episode is a profound exploration of resilience, advocacy, and the invaluable role of peer support in overcoming adversity and finding hope amid despair.
 
For more information on With-You and the services we offer please visit www.with-you.co.uk

S2 EP0: Trailer of Shoulder to Shoulder by With-you Launches with 4 Special Episodes for Black History Month

S2 EP1: Brian Simmonds talks Peer Support among black men

Brian Simmonds is a youth offending officer, community activist, Chair of Call for Action (a Black and Asian Network challenging stigma and discrimination) and Director of Operations, Black Mental Health & Me (BMHM).
Here he and Sonia Thompson discuss the challenges faced by black men around navigating society and maintaining mental health through peer support.

S2 EP2: CC's journey of recovery with the help of Peer Support

Charlotte Crowl is an author, cancer survivor, and project lead for the Black Women Rising project that supports women of colour who have cancer. 
Charlotte shares:
"Peer support is a very powerful thing. Most of our support is done through group work, bringing together Black women in a setting where they can speak and be open. It's an amazing experience to watch their journey to empowerment." 
"A lot of the time in the Black community you're taught to not talk about what you're going through and it's so important to have a free and safe space to speak. When I experienced peer support myself it was liberating, I was no longer suppressing my experiences...who I was...it was game changing." 

S2 EP3: Alex discusses his recovery journey through Peer Support to become a Peer Supporter himself

Alex Enahoro now works as a peer supporter in the hospital he was once a psychiatric patient in.  
Alex has struggled with his own mental health since childhood, experienced intense racism and struggled with intersectionality around race, sexuality, and religion.  
He now uses his experiences to help others: 
"Growing up we just didn't discuss mental health enough...I've been on my own journey to recovery and now I want to take as many people as I can with me." 
 

S2 EP4: Iris-Nur Noor shares her challenges as a trans woman of colour & her journey from fine art to Peer Support

Iris-Nur Noor, a mental health peer coach in the Camden & Islington Trust who identifies as a trans Asian woman and believes in the potential of peer support to change lives.  
She shares insight into her own challenges as a trans woman of colour and how her journey has taken her from a background in fine art into education and then into peer support:  
"When I was growing up in the 80's there was no such thing as peer support or coaching... in hindsight it would have had a huge impact on my mental health, confidence and growth as a trans woman of colour. 
Mental health language isn't always accessible to people in the community... Peer support gives people a space to talk about challenges, fears, breakthroughs, desired outcomes, and to learn from the lived experience of others. Getting different viewpoints helps to deconstruct the core belief of the challenge people are struggling with."